lanolin

lanolin

[lan´o-lin]

wool fat or wool grease that is refined and incorporated into many commercial preparations. Lanolin is a by-product of the process that accompanies the removal of sheep's wool from the pelt. In its crude form it is a greasy yellow wax of unpleasant odor. This odor disappears when the lanolin is emulsified and made into salves, creams, ointments, and cosmetics. Although lanolin is slightly antiseptic, it has no other medicinal benefits and is valuable principally because of the ease with which it penetrates the skin, and because it does not turn rancid. Modified lanolin has been additionally processed to reduce the amount of free lanolin alcohols and detergent and pesticide residues.

a·deps la·nae

the greasy substance obtained from the wool of the sheep Ovis aries (family Bovidae). Used as an emollient base for creams and ointments.

lanolin

/lan·o·lin/ (lan´ah-lin) a purified, waxlike substance from the wool of sheep, Ovis aries, occurring in an anhydrous form and also a form containing 25 to 30 percent water; used as a water-in-oil ointment or cream base. Modified l. has been additionally processed to reduce the amount of free lanolin alcohols and detergent and pesticide residues.

lanolin

(lăn′ə-lĭn)

n.

A fatty substance obtained from wool and used in soaps, cosmetics, and ointments. Also called wool fat.

lanolin

[lan′əlin]

Etymology: L, lana, wool, oleum, oil

a fatlike substance from the wool of sheep. It contains about 25% water as a water-in-oil emulsion and is used as an ointment base and an emollient for the skin. Also called hydrous wool fat.

a·deps la·nae

(ad'eps lā'nē)

The greasy substance obtained from the wool of the sheep Ovis aries (family Bovidae); used as an emollient base for creams and ointments. Synonym(s): lanolin.

[L. fat of wool]

lanolin

A mixture of esters of fatty acids derived from animal skin secretions on wool. Lanolin is used, in conjunction with other ingredients such as zinc oxide, to form various soothing skin ointments.

lanolin

lanolin

wool fat or wool grease that is refined and incorporated into many commercial preparations. Lanolin is a by-product of the process that accompanies the removal of sheeps' wool from the pelt. In its crude form it is a greasy yellow wax of unpleasant odor which disappears when the lanolin is emulsified and made into salves, creams, ointments and cosmetics. Although lanolin is slightly antiseptic, it has no other medicinal benefits and is valuable principally because of the ease with which it penetrates the skin, and because it does not become rancid.

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